Plug it in to an amp that is similar to yours or your actual amp if possible.It might sound great on a marshall or line 6 or watever but if you own a little crap 10 watt no-name brand which is nothing comparde to the amp that you play through in th shop it could sound very different

I've been told a number of times by friends that you need to try it both unplugged and plugged, on a variety of amps, and most importantly on the same model amp (or closest relative) that you have at home or that you plan to use primarily.

~We Rock Out With Our Cocks Out!: UG Naked Club.~Once in a blue moon, God reaches down from his lofty perch, points at an infant boy and proclaims, "This one shall have balls carved out of fucking granite."

Before you select a guitar, there are a few things you need to think over. -The style of music you play. -A budget you can live with. -How long you've been playing. If you've ever owned a guitar before. We all gravitate towards the guitar that looks the Hawtest, but looks and color, shouldn't be your first concern. Wood type, bridge type, pickup configuration, guitar weight, brand reputation, and UG member recommendations should all come into play. You need to have in mind, a few guitars that suit you best, before you even walk into the store.

Walking into The Store:

Wait, you've already blown it! Are you sure you're in the right place? Most of us only have a couple of options. Ideally you live in an area with large chains, and local shops. Keep in mind that large chains pay their workers with commission. A money driven worker will not be working towards your best interest, no matter how nice he seems. Local shops might be able to offer you a better deal, but they don't carry as large a selection. It's good to get prices online, some stores will even match competitor's prices, but whenever possible, physically play as many guitars as possible. Keep in mind that in most cases, the recommended list price for a guitar, is about twice its actual selling price. In addition, when you are trying to get more guitar for the money, It might be worth your time to look into local pawn shops, classified Ads or to check out Ebay. There are some good deals out there, you just need to know where to look.

Take a Friend:

Guitar stores can be overwhelming. When possible, bring a guitar playing friend with you, preferably someone with purchasing experience. You want him to be objective and to run interference for you, if you run into any pushy sales associates. Start off by finding the models and styles in your price range. If you aren't happy with the choices, at least you'll create a basis for comparison. If you have a favorite type of pick, make sure you have one in your pocket. You want to feel as comfortable as possible. There's no reason to call over a sales associate just yet, because you should start off by playing your choices acoustically.

Testing a Guitar:

Once you're certain about the model, you're ready to test some guitars. Don't be afraid to ask for one off the wall. When they don't want one played, they will usually tag it, but it's a good idea to leave the top shelf guitars alone unless they are in your price range. Let the sales staff know you're serious and they will be more willing to work with you on a good deal. To make things simple, I've made a checklist. Before playing... -Sit down in a quiet area and feel the guitars weight. Make sure it's balanced, and suited to your size. -Move the knobs and switch. Make sure they are tight. -Go to the input jack, see if it wiggles. -Lift the guitar to your face. Check the headstock and neck joint for small cracks or chips. -See if the neck looks straight. -Shake the guitar. Listen for loose parts. -Look at the fretboard. Make sure there are no wood imperfections, raised or crooked frets. Make sure the frets don't poke through the side of the board. Before plugging in.... -Strum and fret each string. You're listening for fret buzz. Keep in mind, guitars aren't always set up prior to placement on the selling floor. Sometimes they aren't even tuned. Action and fret buzz are USUALLY adjustable, but the guitar shouldn't buzz and rattle everywhere. -Check the guitar's harmonics. Compare tones at the 12th. See if the guitar is intonated. -Make sure the board isn't too wide for you. See if you can reach the higher frets. -Make sure the bridge saddles are level, with no sharp points. -Make sure the tuners don't feel loose. Amp it up... -Ok, find the pain in the ass sales guy. You'll need a guitar cable, and an amp, JUST LIKE THE ONE YOU HAVE AT HOME!!!! Don't Let him plug you into a $1,000 amp. You're testing the guitar not the amp. -If possible, have a riff ready. If you're tagged as a complete noob, you'll get less respect. -Use the switch. Select the neck pickup. Select the bridge. Listen for crackling noises. Roll the knobs and listen for noise. Touch and lift your hand off the bridge, listen for buzzing that stops when you ground it. If you're into Metal, and are looking at a humbucker guitar, expect to hear less noise than if you were testing a single-coil guitar. -Check the pickups with the amp on clean and with gain. Questions to Ask... -Hopefully you already know the wood type of your choice guitar. You need to make sure the salesman knows that you've done your homework. "Do you have any other Mahogany guitars in this price range, you could recommend?" -Let the salesman know that you've noticed any imperfections. "I like this ibanez, but I'm picking up fretbuzz through the amp. Do your guitars come setup?" -Spend a while playing the guitar. Look upset even if you like the guitar. "What can I get this guitar for?" "Does this guitar come with a case?" You want to walk out of there, with as many free extras as possible. Especially if you've found anything wrong with the guitar. Any minor flaw, might work as a bargaining chip. - "What's your return policy?" Final thoughts... IF YOU LIKE THE GUITAR ON THE SALES FLOOR, TAKE THAT GUITAR, NOT ONE FROM THE STOCKROOM. Unless it's a floor model, you should still get a box for it. You just don't want to take the time to find the perfect guitar, only to end up with a lemon in the end. Also keep in mind, stores make a lot of money off of purchase insurance. In almost every case, it's not worth it to buy protection on a guitar. Except for the neck, every part is easily replaced. In addition, any flaws would be apparent within the usual 30 day return time frame.

Good Luck, Jenny__________________

Jenneh

Quote by TNfootballfan62

Jenny needs to sow her wild oats with random Gibsons and Taylors she picks up in bars before she settles down with a PRS.